Ty Simpson is aiming to become the first Alabama quarterback selected in the first round since 2023. He enters the 2026 NFL Draft following the 2025 season under head coach Kalen DeBoer.
Simpson discussed an interaction with DeBoer during an episode of “Gruden’s QB Class,” hosted by Jon Gruden. Simpson reflected on being in the medical tent after suffering a rib injury during the Rose Bowl against Indiana.
Ty Simpson Details Sideline Exchange With Kalen DeBoer
“It was upsetting because I couldn’t play, but you know the doctor said I can’t let you go and [DeBoer] came in there,” Simpson said. “I just started bawling and started crying, and he did too. He said, ‘I love you and thank you so much.’”
Alabama’s season ended in a 38-3 loss to Indiana at the Rose Bowl. Simpson’s injury occurred late in the first half as he fought for yardage on a first-down run. An Indiana defender’s helmet struck him in the torso, causing a fumble recovered by Indiana.
X-rays at halftime confirmed a fractured rib. Simpson tried to play through the injury in the third quarter but stepped aside for backup quarterback Austin Mack. Simpson finished the game completing 12 of 16 passes for 67 yards, while Mack led Alabama’s only scoring drive, which ended in a field goal.
DeBoer ruled Simpson out for the remainder of the game. The Alabama coach said Simpson wanted to return because he felt he had let the team down, but DeBoer told ESPN he was “never going to let that be a thing” and wouldn’t allow him to carry that feeling.
“(He) gave me a big hug and he said, ‘I know you want to go, but I just can’t let you,’” Simpson said. “That was cool for me because it was just a quarterback-to-coach moment, and he didn’t have to do that, and you know how much this team meant and how much this game meant. That’s awesome.”
Simpson finished last season with an 85.4 score in the PFSN College Football QB Impact Metric, ranking No. 25 in the nation. Ahead of the draft, DeBoer stated he believes the quarterback is a first-round pick.
“I definitely believe he is (a first-round talent) … he’s made so many great plays, big plays, and can distribute the ball wherever he needs to down the field,” DeBoer said on an episode of ESPN’s “SportsCenter,” via On3. “(Simpson) has great football IQ, he’s a coach’s kid, he’s been around the game forever. But once he won the job, he really cut loose with the leadership qualities that he has, and it’s real, it’s genuine.”
The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 23 in Pittsburgh.
